Ranger Training in-country during the Vietnam War

[B. anthracis]

Hi. I'm doing some research for a writing project and I'm hoping you can help me.

Around 1990-91 or so, I read book by a Vietnam vet. For the life of me I can't remember his name or the title of the book. At any rate, he entered Vietnam as an 11B but subsequently received Ranger training while in-country (and did lots of LRRPs) as opposed to going back to the States and receiving training the conventional way. I cannot find references to this anywhere on the internet or on Amazon. All that comes up are topics regarding the ARVN (S. Vietnamese Rangers).

It could be that I've mis-remembered things but I don't think so. One memory from the book that stands out for me is the author and several other soldiers making fun of a new Lt. that had come from the states after earning his Ranger creds there. They called him Bumblebee (for the black and gold Ranger tab) and would make buzzing sounds at him from time to time.If anyone here has any information on this subject I'd greatly appreciate it. Thank you for your time.

[Slowpoke]

Google MACV Recondo School. You might also ask the Google gods about 5th Special Forces Group, Detachment B-52, Project Delta.


And the author you're thinking of is probably Gary Linderer.

[B. anthracis]

Awesome, that's it. Thanks!

[Jim]

A number of us were advisors to the Vietnamese Rangers. We had training facilities of our own.

http://arlingtoncemetery.net/vietnamese ... morial.htm

[CharlieRanger1FFV]

A number of us were advisors to the Vietnamese Rangers. We had training facilities of our own.

http://arlingtoncemetery.net/vietnamese ... morial.htm

We also had our own Ranger School . . .as most Ranger companies did. Senior team leaders taught the course. This was done so that trainees had a good solid base in tactics and company SOPs before they tried out for the teams.


RLTW!!!

[Slowpoke]

We had a little bit different method of tryouts for the Teams. A Team Leader that was short on people took you out on a mission, if he liked the way you handled yourself getting shot at, you we're good to go. If he didn't think you had it, you went down the road. And then we had many who, after being out in the jungle with only four or five of your favorite companions....commo twice a day....and little fuckers trying to shoot you, that maybe this wasn't for them. They pretty much disappeared before the Team Leader got to give an opinion. Of course, this was in the time when "morning reports" were written on the walls of a cave.

[Jim]

Each unit had its own way of doing business or training. What you are asking has a wide spectrum. You need to focus your research.

[IEDmagnet]

I read the "Eyes Behind the Lines" series, good books. Along with "Recondo", I believe the author of that was Ken Miller. Lots of sources out there, but I will take this opportunity to tell all the Vietnam Vets in here thank you. You warriors were my heroes growing up.

[RMP-RLTW]

I read the "Eyes Behind the Lines" series, good books. Along with "Recondo", I believe the author of that was Ken Miller. Lots of sources out there, but I will take this opportunity to tell all the Vietnam Vets in here thank you. You warriors were my heroes growing up.

X1000!!

I grew up reading the "eyes behind the lines" books. It didn't take me that long to read them you smart asses! I actually read them over and over again. Big thank you gentlemen! The best stories from rendezvous always came from you guys! I vote for a story time thread for all you FOGs to post up behind the scenes.


Ryan
RLTW!

[Slowpoke]

I read the "Eyes Behind the Lines" series, good books. Along with "Recondo", I believe the author of that was Ken Miller. Lots of sources out there, but I will take this opportunity to tell all the Vietnam Vets in here thank you. You warriors were my heroes growing up.

X1000!!

I grew up reading the "eyes behind the lines" books. It didn't take me that long to read them you smart asses! I actually read them over and over again. Big thank you gentlemen! The best stories from rendezvous always came from you guys! I vote for a story time thread for all you FOGs to post up behind the scenes.


Ryan
RLTW!

"Recondo" is dedicated to Gary Lotze, he was a friend of mine who extended his DROS to be a MACV Recondo School instructor.

It doesn't make any of us old dinosaurs feel any younger to have old Rangers say they grew up reading of our exploits. Most of us who wrote on the walls of caves have written up some of our stories in the '' No shit, there I was'' area......a few are even true!

[RMP-RLTW]

Good stuff! Guess I need to get off my phone and on to a computer and dig a bit deeper into that section. Thanks for the heads up!!!


Ryan
RLTW!

[Lefty]

"Recondo" is dedicated to Gary Lotze, he was a friend of mine who extended his DROS to be a MACV Recondo School instructor.

It doesn't make any of us old dinosaurs feel any younger to have old Rangers say they grew up reading of our exploits. Most of us who wrote on the walls of caves have written up some of our stories in the '' No shit, there I was'' area......a few are even true!

What surprises me is that some actually lived to tell about it. Too many times it occurs to me all of the situations "Any One Of Which" could have wiped us out.

[Steadfast]

I went to 4th ID - K/75 Pre-Recondo School after I completed my 1st 5 LRP missions. I understand K/75 Pre-Recondo was modeled after the MACV Recondo School. 1 week physical applications, map reading, calling in artillery or air support including learning rappelling. 2nd & 3rd week were actual 2 (4 day) missions.
There were 18 of us in that class (I still have the paper work - diploma) - only the honor grad went on to MACV Recondo School. Barrel Mahinney & I came from 2nd BDE HHC (LRRP)
I met one of my Ranger Instructors at last RR2011. Talk about a Natural High!